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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



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STATES OF AMERICA. 



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IDLE HOURS 



W. DeWITT WALLACE 



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G. p. PUTNAM'S SONS 

NEW YORK LONDON 

aj WeBt Twenty third St. 27 King William St., Strand 

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1890 






Copyrighted 1890 

BY 

DkWITT WALLACE 



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Electrotyped, Printed, and Bound by 
G. P. Putnam's Sons 



TO HER 

WHO IN THE BLOOM OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH, 

DURING THE DARK DAYS OF CIVIL WAR, 

AND ON THE EVE OF MY DEPARTURE FOR THE ARMY, 

LINKED HER FORTUNES WITH MINE, 

AND WHO HAS SINCE BEEN TO ME A DAILY BLESSING, 

THIS LITTLE VOLUME 

IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Unuttebed Poems i 

Lost 2 

Autumn 3 

Across the Street 4 

To Margaret 5 

That Love-Mating Day ..... 6 

The Good Man's Death 7 

To RozoLA 8 

Lafayette 9 

Heaven on Earth 11 

The Poet's Answer 12 

Her Eyes 13 

Love 14 

"Wait 15 

Mother 16 

Father 17 

To Woman 17 

Riverside 18 

At Riverside 19 

New Year's Day 20 

Grant . . 22 

Zenobia 23 

When Love Deceives 24 

The Huntress 25 

She Sunned her Hair 27 

Moral Courage 28 

Success 29 

V 



vi contents. 

Farewell to Pittsburgh 30 

To Annie Lee 31 

In Memory of John A. Stein .... 32 

Two Days 33 

To Isabelle 34 

In the Woods 34 

The Ingrate 35 

Sweet Bird, Fear Not 36 

The Nation's Dead 37 

Energy 39 

When Moonlight Streams 40 

Vesuvius ; or, The Great Kokomo Gas-Well . 41 

From Velvet Lids 42 

Beware 43 

Sweet Words are Sour . . ... . .44 

The Robins 45 

Progress 47 

To Girls 48 

Be Brave 49 

Hard Times 50 

Hymn Sung at the Dedication of Purdue Uni- 

versity 51 

The Death of Love 52 

GuiLo's Answer 53 

Genieve in Photograph .... * • 55 

On Clifton Heights 57 

Mother's Love 58 

To James Newton Matthews . . . .58 

Can I Do Naught? 59 

Fly-Fishing in Tippecanoe River .... 60 

Catching a Ptke 61 

The Soldier Boy 67 

The Last Tournament 72 

My Prayer 76 



IDLE HOURS 



IDLE HOURS. 



UNUTTERED POEMS. 

To all, at times, sweet Fancy lendeth wings : 
To some, strong pinions — brilliant-hued and 

swift — 
To others, feeble ones that labor when they lift ; 
Sometimes, upleaping like a lark, there springs 
Within each soul a joy that soars and sings 
Sometimes by Sorrow's hand each heart is rift, 
And dol'rous sounds through all the senses drift ; 
Anon, Love's voice throughout its being rings. 
Then blame not him who strives to breathe his 
thought 
In Passion's language, or in Fancy's tongue : 
Immortal song had oftentimes been wrought 
If all could utter what their souls have sung. 
Ah ! yes, in each a poem sighs for birth ; 
Who plucks it forth, an angel gives to earth. 



IDLE HOURS. 



LOST. 

I had a friend. Our souls clasp'd hands ; 
Our heart-strings, like two vines, about 
Each other twined till twain seemed one 
For time and for eternity. 

One stormy night, lo, while I slept, 
I know not how, or why, my friend 
Unloosed the cords, and faithless fled. 

Speak not of death, nor count that loss 
Which plucks from earth a flower to plant 
In Heaven. 

He only sounds the depth 
Of woe, and drinks the gall of life, 
Who mourns a living friend that 's lost. 



AUTUMN. 3 

A UTUMN. 

Hail, loveliest daughter of the year ! with all 
Thy wealth of color and thy fruits of gold 
Thrice hail ! Thy frosted locks, thy brilliant robes, 
Thy glowing eyes ; thy nut-brown cheeks, thy sighs. 
Now heard in whispers, now in passion wild. 
Thy face, now sombre, now enwreathed in smiles — 
All these inflame my soul with love of thee. 

Thy generous gifts — the Indian summer days. 
The evenings long, the charming nights, the rich 
And luscious fruits, the garnered grain, the stores 
Of good things — these, and countless blessings more, 
Resplendent Princess, make thy first approach 
As welcome as the coming of a king. 

Behold, ye sons of men, the gorgeous sight ! 
Now royal Autumn with her train of nymphs, 
A goddess each, is sweeping grandly through 
The land. Go forth ! Go forth ! while yet ye may, 
Ye sons of toil, and witness the display. 

And thou, fair Season, linger yet awhile 
Within our realm, that every care-worn soul 
Thy touch may feel, and in thy glories see 
Prophetic vision of the world to come. 
My soul, be still ! the pageant onward moves. 
Nor heeds thy foolish prayer. Look while thou canst ! 
Feast now thine eyes ! On Nature wait, nor ask 
Her fairest princess on thy steps to stay ; 
And when at last she 's gone, thank Heaven she came. 



IDLE HOURS. 



ACROSS THE STREET. 

At open window, 'cross the street, 
Each morn, soft eyes my eyes do meet, 
Eyes large, and blue, and sad, and sweet. 

'T is not for me her curtains slide, 
'T is not for me she looks outside ; 
She welcomes every thing beside. 

The blithe canaries win her love. 
That in gold cages swing above ; 
To them she 's tender as a dove. 

She greets her flowers with look divine. 
That 'neath her glances bloom so fine, 
And with soft fingers trains the vine. 

The free-born sparrows of the air. 
That flit about her windows fair, 
Enjoy her smile and have her care. 

To boot-black, beggar, passing near, 
She throws a coin, or drops a tear ; 
Me only doth she seem to fear. 



TO MARGARET. 

Ah ! maiden, pure as snow-flake's wing, 
Didst thou but know the heart I bring, 
What chaste desires within it spring, 

Towards thee, at least, thou 'dst not deny 
One kindly look, nor question why 
Across the street I turn my eye. 



TO MARGARET. 

Say not : " Behold ! I 'm growing old." 
Thy golden locks, soft-tinged with gray, 
That hint of age and youth's decay, 
Become thee more, as year by year 
Thy riper wisdom doth appear. 

Say not : " Alas ! I fade as grass." 
Thy beauty, fed by springs within, 
Is comelier than it e'er hath been ; 
A sweeter bloom, the spirit's grace, 
Is kindling in thy earnest face. 



IDLE HOURS. 



THA T LOVE-MA TING DA Y. 

Like vision elysian, 

A golden-haired grace, 
With beauty and duty 

Aflame in her face, 
Glides ever before me — 

A light in my way — 
Since she swung in the hammock 

That love-mating day. 

All sadness to gladness 

All buds to full flower. 
All wooings to cooings 

Were changed in an hour : 
All nature grew radiant ; 

Work seems to be play 
Since she swung in the hammock 

That love-mating day. 

As story of glory 

Enkindles the soul, 
Subduing and wooing 

To lofty control. 



THE GOOD man's DEATH. 

So she hath inspired me, 
That spirit so gay, 
Since she swung in the hamniock 
That love-mating day. 

Like vision elysian, 

A golden-haired grace, 
With beauty and duty 

Aflame in her face. 
Glides ever before me — 

A light in my way — 
Since she swung in the hammock 

That love-mating-day. 



THE GOOD MAN'S DEATH. 
(Suggested by the death of Dr. P. S. Shields.) 

As dauntless as a lion. 

Submissive as a lamb, 
As cheerful as the sunshine, 

Composed as evening's calm ; 
As joyous as the sky-lark, 

As up to heaven it flies — 
'T is thus the good man passes 

From this world to the skies. 



IDLE HOURS. 



TO ROZOLA. 

Thou speak'st, at times, of friendship's holy joy, 
And bid'st me taste a cup without alloy ; 
Ere thou say more, give heed while I to thee 
Declare what, to my mind, a friend should be : 
No slavish soul, but one who has a will. 
And yet who'd bear, to please, most any ill ; 
Considerate, loving, and though always kind, 
Just to reprove and ne'er through friendship blind ; 
Abhorring strife, yet when the crowd defame, 
Courageous to defend his friend's good name : 
Kingly in soul, forgiving, patient, just ; 
Sublime in faith — not doubting till he must. 
Oh ! for a friend of this unselfish kind ! 
One such I had, can I another find ? 



LAFAYETTE. 



LAFAYETTE. 
(The author's birth-place and life-time home.) 

As swallow doth follow 

Its mate in its flight, 
As lover doth hover 

Near maid with delight, 
So my heart turns to thee. 

Thou charming coquette, 
My sweet-heart and mother, 

My dear Lafayette. 

Thy tresses, thy dresses, 
Thy soft eyes of brown, 

The shimmer and glimmer 
Of thy picturesque crown, 

Thy form and each feature 
Within me beget 

A passion undying 
For thee, Lafayette. 

In anger or languor, 

Asleep or awake, 
Out walking or talking 

To wise man or rake, 



lO IDLE HOURS. 

Thou art a rare beauty 
As ever was met, 

And all stop to greet thee, 
Brown-eyed Lafayette. 

Thy favor is savor 

Most sweet to my heart, 
Inspiring and firing 

Its innermost part. 
But given or holden, 

I cannot forget 
Thy charms and thy graces, 

Gold-haired Lafayette. 

As swallow doth follow 

Its mate in its flight. 
As lover doth hover 

Near maid with delight. 
So my heart turns to thee. 

Thou charming coquette, 
My sweet-heart, my mother. 

My own Lafayette. 



HEAVEN ON EARTH. 



HE A VEN ON EARTH. 

To fly for repose 

From Life and its woes 
To home, where no doubt findeth birth, 

Where Sympathy springs, 

And Peace ever sings, 
Is to fly to a heaven on earth. 

Sweet, soul-soothing home ! 

The longer I roam, 
The more of the world I descry. 

The more I am sure. 
This home that 's so pure 

Is heaven let down from the sky. 



12 IDLE HOURS. 

THE POETS ANSWER. 

A maiden to a poet came 

In deep distress. 
" A friend hath writ me this," she said, 

" Nor more, nor less : 
* When dies the stem, the leaflet sure. 
Sprung from its heart, cannot endure.' 

" What meaneth this queer note, good bard ? 

What should I do ? 
What answer make to these dark words ? 

Pray, what would you ? 
Methinks that 'neath the surface lies 
A meaning that my skill defies." 

" For shame, sweet maid," the poet cried. 

" Didst see a dove 
E'er coo its mate ? Thy friend 's a man ; 

The man 's in love ; 
Had one I know thus writ to me. 
This would my instant answer be : 

" * Thou art the stem, 

I am the leaf, 
Pray, shall my life 

Be long or brief ?' " 



HER EYES. 13 



HER EYES. 

Her eyes are founts of sparkling depth, 
O'erhung by lashes dark as night, 

A.nd glowing cupids sporting there 
Speed thence swift arrows of delight. 

Out-flashing from those liquid orbs 
A glorious spirit-form is seen ; • 

'T is genius, with her radiant wings — 
The twin of Love — supernal queen. 



14 IDLE HOURS. 



LOVE. 

Who thinks to break the sacred knot 

By Cupid's dainty fingers tied, 
With force, or threats, or wicked plot, 

Knows naught of Love's self-will and pride. 

As Phoenix, 'mid consuming flame. 
Takes on new life and upward springs, 

So Love, that 's worthy of the name, 
When tried by fire, puts on new wings. 

It asks no boon but simple food, 
For this 't will war 'gainst any odds, 

Who serves it here, is counted good. 
Who not, contendeth with the gods. 

If driven from home, 't is not undone : 
A thousand door-ways open wide ; 

No power can kill it 'neath the sun ; 
It only dies from suicide. 



WAIT, 15 



WAIT. 

As child in glee 

Its picture-book would see 

At once, all through, 

Nor heed its mother's voice to wait, 

View well one leaf and then its mate, 

So may not you 

Or I, in scanning God's great book 

Of Providence, as foolish look ? 

How often we 

Complain presumptuously 

Of Heaven's decrees 

As laws unjust, or criticise 

Dogmatic'ly, as if our eyes 

Saw all He sees ; 

Unheeding, though He bids us hold 

And judge not till his plans unfold. 

When earth was young 

Had some true prophet sung 

What now we see — 

Men talking 'cross great oceans proud 

While raging tempests thunder loud, 

As easily 



-r'6 IDLE HOURS. 

As face to face — thou know'st how quick 
'T would been denounced a pious trick. 

Ah ! foolish man ! 

Thy utmost wisdom can 

But glimpses catch, 

Now here, now there, of things profound ; 

Nor hope the truth, full orbed and round. 

From Heaven to snatch. 

Wait ! mortal, wait ! in stronger light 

All will in perfect whole unite. 



MOTHER. 

Calm as the starlit heavens was mother's face. 
If Joy ran riot through our home-girt isle. 
She voiced her pleasure with approving smile ; 

If Grief stood sobbing in the sacred place, 

She veiled her sorrow in a warm embrace ; 
If troubles dire, with fierce envenomed guile. 
Besieged our house, she fled not in exile, 

But met each danger with a Heaven-born grace. 
E'en yet she comes in spirit robes of light, 

The same fond mother with the same strong heart. 
To calm my mind and cheer me in the fight 

With lurking foes that round my soul upstart. 
Enough ! She hovers ever o'er my way, 
God's angel to deliver when I stray. 



TO WOMAN. 17 

FA THER. 

For thee, brave spirit, noble sire. 
In whom the rugged virtues shone 
Enrobed in graces all thine own, 

I 've oft essayed to string my lyre 

To sound thy worth in song of fire, 
In verse, that wheresoever blown. 
Would touch and stir the heart of stone. 

And so fulfil my soul's desire. 
But ah ! too humble is the harp 

The sweet-tongued Muses gave to me, 
Its tones are all too harsh and sharp 

To venture on such melody — 
A Tasso's lyre, or harp of Poe 
Alone, just tribute could bestow. 



TO WOMAN. 

If matchless beauty marks thy face, 

If diamonds sparkle in thine eyes, 
If perfect form thou hast, and grace, 

Build not on these — they 're frail as lies. 
In none of them, nor in the whole. 

Is found sweet woman's richest dower ; 
But, woman, know that in the soul 

Resides the secret of thy power. 



l8 IDLE HOURS. 



RIVERSIDE. 

(To that accomplished sportsman and modest gentleman — 
my boyhood friend, — Cyrus Gordon Ball, Esq., this sonnet is 
affectionately dedicated.) 

Where crystal river to the prairie flower 

Sighs brief adieu, and (slipping 'neath the track 
O'er which the lordly Locomotive Stack 

Flames as a God) salutes a woodland bower, 

Through which it sings exultant for an hour ; 
Where sylvan lodge and mineral springs give back 
New nerves and bounding step to those who lack ; 

There smiles sweet Riverside in sun and shower. 
Ah, me ! In this retreat of wild-wood haunts — 

This angler's Paradise, where Nature sings — 
I 'd rather rest me than where Fashion flaunts 

Her jewelled nakedness, and fops are kings. 
No hour, to me, in unmixed joy transcends 
The times I 've loitered there with chosen friends. 



AT RIVERSIDE. 19 



AT RIVERSIDE. 

At Riverside, all summer long, 
Mid fragrant groves and wild-birds' song, 
A wood-nymph dwells — queen of the place- 
With welcome beaming in her face 
To trooping friends who round her throng. 
The manners sweet, the virtues strong 
That all concede to her belong 
Bloom out with a diviner grace 
At Riverside. 

At Riverside, where naught goes wrong. 
Where changing joys bear all along, 

This Silvan Queen of blithesome pace, 

Of peerless hand, of sunny face, 
Beguiles each hour to sing a song 
At Riverside. 



20 IDLE HOURS. 



NEW YEAR'S DAY. 



(' ' Great is the issue at stake, greater than appears, whether 
a man is to be good or bad." — Plato.) 

A spirit within me 

Is asking to-day, 
As if to chagrin me 

By what I may say, 

Strange questions that waken 

My soul from its ease, 
As trees that are shaken, 

Such questions as these ; 

How much in time's mirror, 

Of all the months past, 
Will brighter and clearer 

Shine unto the last ? 

How seem you to others 

Who gaze in the glass — 
Your sisters and brothers, 

As each of them pass ? 

What have you forgiven 

Of ill, or of hate ? 
How much have you striven 

The wrong to abate ? 



NEW YEAR S DAY. 21 

What seed are you sowing 

In the soil of the soul ? 
What passions are growing 

More under control ? 

How much of your leisure 

With profit have spent ? 
How much in mere pleasure, 

That brings no content ? 

What mortal befriended 

By thee, in his need, 
In words unpretended 

Now echoes the deed ? 

'Bove all, to high Heaven 

How seemeth your life ; 
Unselfish and even, 

Or broken with strife ? 

Enough, gentle spirit, 

Cease questioning, pray ! 
I see I 've no merit, 

I *ve failed every way. 

Yet, bless I this morning, 

This Happy New Year ; 
The future is dawning- — 

Its skies are yet clear. 



22 IDLE HOURS. 

GRANT. 
(Composed on the day of his funeral.) 

Nor blood, nor wealth, nor prodigies at birth, 
Nor God-like form, nor chance, nor kindly fate, 
In peril's hour, first fixed the nation's gaze 
On thee. Thy splendid deeds, they caught each 

eye, 
And trumpeted thy fame. All hearts were faint, 
Till Belmont, Henry, and Fort Donelson 
Proclaimed that he, so sought and longed for, had 
At last been found. When Vicksburg, doughty 

Queen 
That held the bulwarked gateway to the Gulf, 
On bended knee surrendered up her crown 
With all her troops and engineries of war. 
The nation, with one cry, turned unto thee. 
Thenceforth the steeds, that whirled War's chariot 

moved 
Obedient to thy will. Within thy brain 
Up-sprang, distinct, the mighty complex plan 
Of after war, which, like the God's sure mill, 
Slow grinding, wrought at Appomattox field 
Its purpose out, and crowned thee first of men. 
That day the nation wept for joy ; to-day. 
All bowed and craped, it sobs aloud with grief, 
Or, through its tears, looks up to Heaven in thanks 
That thou hast lived, and saved, and blessed the 

State. 



ZENOBIA. 23 



ZENOBIA. 

Down through the ages, like a mountain stream 
That leaps with shining footsteps to the plain, 

Thy spirit glides, resplendent in its gleam. 

Inspiring through each age, each drooping brain. 

Thy great ancestor, Cleopatra fair, 

Whose beauty crazed and set the world on fire, 
To all her charms of person, made thee heir. 

And yet thy bosom throbbed with chaste desire. 

As queen, refulgent, of the gorgeous East, 
In arms resistless, and in wisdom versed, 
Thou hadst no peer : and though thy rule hath 
ceased. 
At fame's proud court, thou rankest 'mong the 
first. 

But ah ! great woman (greatest in thy fall 

Hadst thou to good Longinus faithful proved), 

How couldst thou, deaf to honor's clarion call, 
Betray thy friend and see him die, unmoved ? 

How couldst thou, after thou wast made a show 
To Rome's fierce rabble, hold a mimic court 

At guilded villa built thee by thy foe, 

And be his slave — the people's scorn and sport ? 



24 IDLE HOURS. 

Out on thee, queen ! shame on thy later days ! 
But nay ! some fiend (with fiends that age was 
rife) 
Possessed thy frame and wrought through it his 
ways ; 
Thy spirit clave unto thy former life. 



WHEN LOVE DECEIVES. 

When Love deceives 

It always leaves, 
Despite the cleverest plot. 

Some marks that tell 

Its mate right well 
Of wrong, it knows not what. 

In Art, the eye, 

Howe'er it try. 
May not at once detect 

The fault that mars. 

Though, clear as stars. 
It sees there 's some defect. 

So Love betrayed. 

Sees Love has strayed : 
It little may know, long, 

Of this, or that, 

Its mate is at. 
Yet knows there 's something wrong. 



THE HUNTRESS. 25 

Hence, Love deceived, 

Is always grieved : 
It knows too little to arise 

And break the chain 

Of Love in twain, 
Yet knows too much for laughing eyes. 



THE HUNTRESS. 

I saw her where the rye had been, 

Amid the golden stubble, 
At sun-set hour, when hunters win 

Most booty for their trouble. 

A stately Grace, round-limbed and fair, 

That dazzled each beholder, 
A mass of gold, her glossy hair. 

Loose fell a-down her shoulder. 

Wild trumpet flowers enwreathed her hat, 

In all their gorgeous splendor, 
While 'neath broad brim of dainty plat, 

Brown eyes gleamed soft and tender. 

A hunter's suit of green and gold, 

Short-looped and trim, draped round her 

Which silver zone in place did hold, 
When I that evening found her. 



26 IDLE HOURS. 

Her fowling-piece swung down with grace ; 

Alert, the beauty speeded ; 
While friend on either side kept pace, 

And blooded dogs preceded. 

Ah ! now the pointers near the place ; 

Look how they work, how splendid ! 
They flush the game ! Up spring a brace ! 

Bang ! bang ! their flight is ended. 

" Steady ! " soft speaks the long-haired maid. 

The dogs crouch low and tremble ; 
New cartridges in place are laid, — 

Great stars her eyes resemble. 

" Hie on, my beauties ! Careful, Ring ! " 
The pointers start, slow creeping, — 

Wh-i-r ! wh-i-r ! buzz ! buzz ! the flock 's a-wing ! 
Two shots — three chickens sleeping. 

The sun was gone ; the shadows swayed ; 

The dew was on the clover ; 
The moon smiled proudly on the maid. 

The evening hunt was over. 



SHE SUNNED HER HAIR. 27 



SHE SUNNED HER HAIR. 

She sunned her hair as mermaid might — 
Long golden tresses of delight — 
Or just as Venus, after birth, 
Safe lighting on the velvet earth. 
Her tresses sunned in Neptune's sight. 
Aglow from bath, half robed — not quite — 
With dreamy eyes that melt and smite, 
Beside the river, in glad mirth. 
She sunned her hair. 

She sunned her hair, till, soft and light, 
The breezes caught it in their flight. 
Kissed every strand and sung the worth 
Of her who wears Love's magic girth — 
Most fair, when like a wild-wood sprite, 
She sunned her hair. 



«S IDLE HOURS. 



MORAL COURAGE. 

Like some great diamond in a crown of gems 

That shames the rest, 
Thou, lofty quality, throughout all time, 

Thou art the best. 

Thy sisters, like the planets 'bout the sun, 

All wait on thee. 
Yet each, in separate sphere, like goddess moves 

High-born and free. 

In thy repose, a maid thou seem'st to be ; 

In war, a Knight ; 
Clad now in gentle woman's garb, and now, 

In armor bright. 

Corruptions, like great giants stalk abroad ; 

We wait for thee, 
Joan of Arc saved France — save thou from sin 

Humanity. 



SUCCESS. 29 



SUCCESS. 

Think not to reach the longed-for heights sublime 
On drowsy wing, nor in a moment's time. 
Heaven crowns not those who sleeping wish to rise : 
The soul who wears, must, struggling, win the prize. 
Long time, with care, Apelles plied his art. 
Ere glowing life would from his canvas start ; 
Nor could Demosthenes, untrained, at will. 
Make Philip tremble and all Athens thrill. 
Genius, though bright, in full-orbed splendor 

shines 
Only when it with energy combines. 
Unworthy they, who grieve that honor waits, 
Go thou straight on, and, fearless, storm the gates ; 
Conform but close to Nature's plain decree, 
Rewarding Time shall give a crown to thee. 



3© IDLE HOURS. 



FAREWELL TO PITTSBURGH. 

Farewell, proud city, where great Vulcan wills 
To build his forges and his throne of gold ; 

Where wonder, at each step, the stranger thrills, 
And hearty welcome greets him as of old. 

Farewell, twin rivers, whose majestic flow 

Out-vies the grandeur of thy rock-ribbed hills ; 

Which, like gigantic sentries, scowl or glow 

As storm provokes, or soothing sunshine thrills. 

Farewell, sweet friends, whose love is more to me 
Than precious stones or fame's delicious draught ; 

More grateful than cool breezes from the sea, 
Or nectar such as Jove and Juno quaff'd. 

Farewell, fond sights and joys that fade from view. 
As white-winged Scotia bears me far from thee ; 

Adieu ! a long, a sweet, a sad adieu, 

To eyes that charmed, and soothed, and dazzled 
me. 



TO ANNIE LEE. 3I 



TO ANNIE LEE. 



Four years ago, this very night, 
A little angel, robed in white, 
With tiny bow and golden lyre 
Thick-set with sparkling gems of fire, 
Perched close beside my dreamy couch, 
('T is very truth, I do avouch) 
And in soft notes that joyous rang 
Through all my soul, thus sweetly sang : 

" There is a pretty maiden, 

The fairest of the fair. 
Accomplished, pure, and lovely, 

Withal, of queenly air. 

" Within this little locket 
Her picture you may see, 

Inscribed upon the cover, 
Her name, sweet Annie Lee. 

" Ere long you '11 meet this damsel 

And see her face to face, 
When, should you chance to win her, 

You 're happiest of your race." 

At this, the form of heavenly mould, 
Sweet smiling, dropped the case of gold, 



32 IDLE HOURS. 

And borne upon her snowy wings, 
Sought other realms and other things. 
Since then I 've met thee, gentle miss, 
And in thy presence feel such bliss. 
That at this instant I *d resign 
All else for thee, my valentine. 



IN MEMORY OF HON. JOHN A. STEIN, 

Adieu ! bright spirit of the golden wing, 
That seemed all poet when thou deigned to sing ; 
All sage illumined, when impelled, thou wrote ; 
All lawyer, when in court, thy sabre smote. 

Adieu ! brave soul, that dared, for servile race. 
Smite crowned oppression with young Freedom's 

mace ; 
That when Columbia drove the steeds of war 
Shone bright in arms beside her flaming car. 

Adieu ! proud knight, that scorned all petty strife, 
And held thine honor dearer than thy life ; 
That by thy manly deeds and courtly ways 
Won troops of friends who love to sing thy praise. 

Adieu ! but know the flower of virtue blooms 
Long after death and sheds its best perfumes ; 
That genius, like the setting sun, gives light 
Though far within the portals of the night. 



TWO DAYS. 33 



TWO DA YS. 

(Suggested by the remark of a child that two days — one 
stormy and the other fair — reminded her of a dark-haired and 
a fair-haired girl.) 

Twin sisters they, children of Father Time, 
And yet no more alike than prose and rhyme. 

The first — a peerless blonde of sunny face, 

Long golden-haired, mild-tempered, and blue- 
eyed, 

A languid beauty of voluptuous grace, — 

In car of roses passed, the whole year's pride. 

The next — a dark brunette, black-haired as night, 
Fierce-eyed, who sounding forth a tempest dirge 

And hurling forked bolts death-tipped and bright — 
In storm-car thundered by, the year's worst 
scourge. 

Thus night succeeds the day, grief follows joy ; 
Each life, though wrought of gold, hath its alloy. 



34 IDLE HOURS. 



TO ISA BELLE. 

(A beautiful, sweet-mannered girl of eleven years, child of 
the author's boyhood friend.) 

May Love and Duty wait on Beauty, 
And the bud to blossom swell, 

Till, enravished by its fragrance, 
God shall pluck his Isabelle. 



IN THE WOODS. 



Through mellow sunshine fall the golden leaves ; 
A sweet and solemn silence reigns supreme ; 
Nature, brown-cheeked and tired, disrobes for rest, 
I look and wonder if I wake or dream. 



THE INGRATE. 35 



THE INGRATE. 

'T was night ; the sea was rough ; the lightning's 

flash 
Revealed a maiden in an open boat, 
Who shrieked for help, then fell insensible. 

Her lover heard, and from the shore plunged in 
To save or sink with her. By miracle 
Of love he gained the boat and snatched her from 
The grave. Safe in his arms he bore her home, 
And, laughing, gave her back to life and joy. 
Time's chariot rolled apace ; the maid proved 

false ; 
Her lover knew, yet fullest pardon gave ; 
She smiled upon him, clasp'd him to her breast 
And kissed him thrice ; then — horrid thought that 

chills 
The blood to tell — she stabbed him to the heart. 

I heard him groan ; I felt his spirit writhe ; 
I saw his large blue eyes of faith run o'er 
With tears, and heard him say, just ere he died : 
" I loved her much ; God pity me — and — her." 



36 IDLE HOURS. 



SWEET BIRD, FEAR NOT. 

Sweet bird, fear not. God sent thee here 
Thy wing to rest, thy life to cheer. 

Why flutter so ? Why throbs thy heart ? 

Why dost thou doubt ? Why shrink and start 
From him to whom thou art most dear ? 
Rest, rest thyself ; cast out all fear ; 
I am, sweet guest, what I appear. 

Or me, or storm, or lightning's dart, 

Sweet bird, fear not. 

Sweet bird, fear not ; a friend is near ; 

Look in my eyes ! are they not clear 
And free from guile ? Just as thou art, 
When sleeps the storm, thou shalt depart. 

Till then, e'en though I seem austere, 

Sweet bird, fear not. 



THE NATION S DEAD. 37 



THE NA TION'S DEAD. 



Ye martyrs to freedom ! great-hearted and brave, 
Who conquered rebellion, unshackled the slave, 
Who cheerfully suffered, courageously died. 
That others might taste what to you was denied, 
Bend earthward and listen, this blooming spring 

day, 
While th' nation its tribute of homage shall pay. 

II. 

Forgotten ? Nay ! look, feast thine eyes on the 

sight ; 
The dear ones at home keep thy memories bright : 
They speak not to-day but to mention thy name. 
They glory in naught save thy deeds and thy fame ; 
They see through their tears but thy face on the 

wall : 
They spare not a flower — they gather them all. 

III. 

Forgotten ? Thy comrades, who marched by thy 

side. 
Who loved thee — ah, yes, who for thee would have 

died, — 



38 IDLE HOURS. 

Are gathering now, as forever they will, 
From city and hamlet and valley and hill, 
To tell of thy prowess, to witness their love, 
To catch of thy spirit, ye brave ones above. 

IV. 

Forgotten ? The children, the cherubs of earth. 
E'en they know thy names, aye, have known them 

from birth ; 
They listen, and wonder and weep at the tale 
Of valor that triumphed, that knew not to fail. 
And fondly regard each Thirtieth of May, 
Their saddest, their sweetest, their best holiday. 



Forgotten ? Ah ! look, see the multitudes throng ! 
The garlands of flowers, they for thee bear along ; 
The banners, the war-flags, all tattered and torn. 
That often to vict'ry thine own hands have borne : 
The throbbings of heart and the tear-drops that 

fall— 
Thy virtues, the sweet inspiration of all. 

VI. 

Can the nation forget, if so base that she would. 
The heroes that saved her, her great and her good ? 
Their vigils, their marchings in heat and in cold, 
Their sickness, starvation, their hardships untold ? 
No ! never ! No ! never ! while rivers shall run, 
While father is proud of the deeds of his son. 



ENERGY. 39 



ENERGY. 



The flights of Genius, how sublime ! 
Yet Energy, in its own time. 
Will unto heights as lofty climb. 

The plans of Genius, lo ! how bold ! 
Yet Energy, which naught can hold, 
Doth often schemes as grand unfold. 

The works of Genius, oh ! how vast ! 

Yet Energy, if not so fast, 

Hath by no builder been surpassed. 

The faults of Genius, ah ! how great ! 
While Energy, which some berate, 
Hath scarce a fault to deprecate. 

Then cease to weep thy Genius lame- 
If Energy thy soul inflame. 
Success is certain, if not fame. 



4© IDLE HOURS. 



WHEN MOONLIGHT STREAMS. 

When moonlight streams in rosy June 
And Nature hums her sweetest tune, 
Then lovers stray in shades remote, 
Alert lest aught from Beauty's throat 
Should reach the peering, tell-tale moon. 
Tired Labor, then, in gladsome swoon. 
The cooling sward clasps as a boon, 
And children sport and mothers dote 
When moonlight streams. 

When moonlight streams in gorgeous June, 
And evening's calm is at its noon. 
When fire-flies on soft zephyrs float 
Like wandering star in airy boat, 
Then God is felt — or late or soon — 
When moonlight streams. 



VESUVIUS. 41 



VESUVIUS; 
or, 
THE GREAT KOKOMO GAS- WELL. 

Skyward leaping, 
Proudly sweeping, 
Grandly soaring, 
Fiercely roaring. 
Streaming, gleaming 
In the darkness, flames the towering tongue of fire. 

Upward, screaming, 
Blazing, beaming. 
Colors blending. 
Flames contending, 
Higher, higher. 
Into darkness, bounds the blazing tongue of fire. 

Dancing, playing, 
Lightly swaying, 
Clad in mellow, 
Blue and yellow. 
Singing, ringing. 
In the darkness, laughs the joyous tongue of fire. 

Flaming glory ! 
What thy story ? 
In an hour 



42 IDLE HOURS. 

By thy power — 
Magic, tragic 
Wondrous power — wealth up-springs and cities 
tower. 

God or maiden, 
Richly laden, 
From thy prison 
Newly risen, 
Welcome ! Welcome ! 
Stay forever ! Gladsome, laughing child of fire. 



FROM VELVET LIDS. 

From velvet lids Love wings the dart 
That deepest thrills the human heart. 
The purest joy, the fiercest woe 
That mortals here may ever know 
From Love's sweet wound unfailing start. 
When velvet lids — Love's gateways — part, 
The tender god dons all his art. 
And joy and woe commingled flow 
From velvet lids. 

From velvet lids whose fires impart 

Ecstatic joy and keenest smart, 
All men are warned, yet all men go 
Where they ihay feel the kindling glow 

Of charms that flash and gleam and dart 
From velvet lids. 



BEWARE. 43 



BEWARE. 

Ye lovers, beware, 

In your sail o'er life's ocean, 
Of that rock of despair. 

Which, in spite of devotion, 
Wrecks love in its youth — 
The rock of untruth. 

The mail round love's boat 
Is of confidence fashioned ; 

One rent in that coat, 

And the surges impassioned 

Engulf without ruth — 

Beware of untruth ! 



44 IDLE HOURS. 



SWEET WORDS ARE SOUR. 

Sweet words are sour when acts proclaim 
That love is dead, asleep, or lame ; 

When days drag by, and footsteps stay, 
Till Wonder drives young Hope away, 
And smoking Doubt bursts into flame. 
Then like a trumpet's loud acclaim, 
Through all the soul, that grieves to blame, 
These words resound by night and day — 
Sweet words are sour. 

Sweet words are sour when care can tame 
The heart of Love, and from its aim 
Divert the soul. If 'neath the sway 
Of any power, Love's steps delay, 
The waiting heart bursts in exclaim — 
Sweet words are sour. 



THE ROBINS. 45 



THE ROBINS. 



Two robins, in the springtime vernal, 
Joyed in a love that seemed supernal — 
A love they vowed should be eternal. 

Through sunny days and stormy weather, 
On earth, in air, on pinioned feather. 
They roamed in happiness together. 

In time they built by joint endeavor, 

A bonny nest so coy and clever, 

That they, from home, were absent never. 

Thus flew the hours in gladsome measure, 
Each unto each a priceless treasure, 
Till partings mixed alloy with pleasure. 

She kept the nest as was her duty, 
While he, each day, brought richest booty 
To feed and cheer his robin beauty. 

One day, in loving accents ringing. 

She heard from far, her robin singing 

When food, she thought, he should be bringing. 

One evil thought will breed another. 
Till, if the fiend we do not smother. 
The soul will even doubt its mother. 



46 IDLE HOURS, 

So 't was with her ; the doubt kept growing, 
Till, in the song she thought was glowing, 
A new-found love that he was showing. 

Henceforth her joy was changed to sighing ; 
He found her once when she was crying, 
But what the cause, defied his prying. 

In vain he sought by new attention, 
By every art of Love's invention. 
To cure a grief that bode dissension. 

Alas ! for love when thus offended ! 
She thought it all a scheme intended 
To show a love that was pretended. 

Belief was now the same as knowing ; 
Rank poison through her soul was flowing, 
And grief and rage were daily growing. 

At last, as fledging time was nearing, 

And dainty heads from shells were peering 

To make their lives most blest and cheering, 

Aye, when he, loveliest act was doing, 
She fiercely charged that, spite his cooing, 
He then another love was wooing. 

As lightning startles by its thunder 
And kills before there *s time to wonder, 
His great heart heard and burst asunder. 



PROGRESS. 47 

Remorse now seized the robin mother, 
Who, finding naught the fire to smother. 
Soon fell in death beside the other. 



A hungry hawk as day was dying 
Heard from aloft, as he was flying, 
What seemed the wail of birdlings crying. 

On quick-poised wing, he hung suspended, 
A moment, when, with beak distended, 
He, like the forked bolt, descended 
Upon Love's Household, undefended. 

Alas ! for love so pure and winning, 
Alas ! when doubts begin their spinning, 
Alas ! to lightly charge with sinning, 
Alas ! the end of sweet beginning. 



PROGRESS. 

Progress, clad in robes resplendent. 
Through the screen of Thought is sifting 
Old beliefs, and surely lifting 
Womankind from state dependent 
Up to a plane where sex shall be 
No bar to full equality. 



48 IDLE HOURS. 



TO GIRLS. 



Be self-reliant ! Aye, you must, 

If you'd in trial stand the test ; 
A soul that in itself can trust 

Is doubly armed, is armed the best. 

Be brave to do what you deem right 
Despite your thoughtless sisters' frown ; 

Their utmost ridicule and spite 
Can pull no earnest worker down. 

The milder virtues, all concede. 
Should shine conspicuous in you ; 

Methinks our women also need 
To court the sterner virtues too. 

The age expects much of your sex ; 

Each gate is now thrown open wide ; 
Then falter not ! but let this text. 

This thought, with you fore'er abide : — 
The real queen can stand alone, 
Can grace a cabin or a throne. 



BE BRAVE ! 



49 



BE BRAVE! 

Though all the gods conspire to scourge, 

Smile and be brave ! 
The world, if thou misfortunes urge, 

Will dig thy grave. 

They, who from pity, throw a crumb 

To him that 's down, 
Will, through respect for pluck, though dumb. 

Bestow a crown. 



5© IDLE HOURS. 

HARD TIMES. 

Gaunt, spectre-like, in cast-off robe, 
With hungry eye and fevered breath. 
He comes when looked for least, and like 
Grim Death, stalks through the throbbing world 
Of trade and deadens with his touch. 

Whence, wherefore, to what end, he comes, 
Or whither goes, or when, is known 
To none. We feel his presence ; see 
The engineries of life benumbed 
And still ; mark how a blight and rust 
Do rest on every thing, and how 
Pale wretchedness and woe, in rags, 
Do follow in his train, and how 
He grins exultant over all ; 
And yet our wisest seem as much 
Confounded as did Pharaoh's priests 
At old Egyptia's plagues. Oh, for 
Some Moses, with illumined brain 
And potent rod, to flood with light 
The deep profound, and succor from 
This blighting scourge ! Then would each wheel, 
And spindle, forge, and mart of trade, 
Its voice lift up in gladsome song — 
Perpetual in its harmony — 
Fit music for the race when each 
Is owner of his home and plenty smiles, 
Inviting from each open door. 



HYMN. 5 1 



H YMiX SUNG A T THE DEDICA TION OF P URD UE 
UNIVERSITY. 

Sign there is of coming glory ! 

Sign the people all shall rise, 
That the State, e'er old and hoary, 

Builds her schools with enterprise. 
This the sign *bove every other — 

Culture, greatness go together. 

Chorus — Rejoice ! a mighty work 's begun ! 
Rejoice ! a noble duty 's done ! 
The torch of learning kindled here 
Shall burn the brighter with each year. 

Lo ! behold this goodly college ! 

Reared to educate no class, 
But a temple TRUE of knowledge, 

Built to elevate the mass. 
This the object — there 's no other. 

Each is unto each a brother. 
Chorus — 

Come all people help to build it ! 

Keep its honor ever bright ! 
Raise it till the sunbeams gild it 

First at morning, last at night. 



$2 IDLE HOURS. 

This our duty — all together 
We can make it last forever. 
Chorus — 

Now, to science and all learning, 
We, the people of the State, 

Joyful, hopeful. Heavenward turning, 
This proud pile here dedicate. 

Noble structure ! Priceless treasure ! 
Deeds there are time cannot measure. 
Chorus — 



THE DEATH OF LOVE. 

Love lay dying, racked by fevers, 
Fevers sprung from poisoned arrows 
Shot by faithless lover's hand. 



Years have flown and love is gray, 
Still he *s dying, dying, dying, 
Praying for sweet death to come. 
In vain he waits, his doom is fixed. 
Love's death is this : he cannot die. 



GUILO S ANSWER. 53 



GUILO'S ANSWER. 



Talk not of joy while last year's lover haunts thy 

gate, 
Nor while 't is clear thou 'It have next year another 
mate. 

Know this : 
Love is more selfish than a grasping fiend ; 

And this : 
No love from selfishness was ever weaned. 



Talk not of present bliss, with murdered love in 

sight, 
Nor talk of faith in one who drags past treachery 
to light. 

Know this : 
The joy of love is hope that it will last ; 

And this : 
Its grief is dread lest it may be out-cast. 

III. 

Talk not of progress, growth, nor broader mental 

range. 
Nor boast thy right and easy aptitude to change. 



54 IDLE HOURS. 

Know this : 
The maid of progress is a virtuous dame ; 

And this : 
Our aptitudes, unchecked, oft work our shame. 

IV. 

Talk not — but stay ! Enchantress of my heart and 

brain ! 
So thou be near, I '11 serve and smile while life 
remain. 

Know this, meanwhile : 
Love sees, but has not power to avert his fate ; 

And this : 
O pity, Heaven ! I love thee and I hate. 



GENIEVE IN PHOTOGRAPH. 55 



GENIE VE IN PHOTOGRAPH. 

(Suggested by a lady presenting three different photographs 
of herself to a friend for his criticism.) 

GENIEVE. 

Sweet poet, please, is that like me ? 
Dost thou, in truth, a likeness see ? 

POET. 

Like thee, Genieve ? I do believe 
'T is thee thyself. That golden hair, 
Those thin-carved lips so ripe and rare, 
That Grecian nose, that royal pose, 
Those eyes once seen, thence always known, 
Are thine, Genieve, are thine alone ; 
And whose but thine, that bust divine ? 
The muses, from this profile view, 
Would take thee for an artist true. 

GENIEVE. 

Look now at this ; if that be fine. 

Then surely none would think this mine ? 



S6 IDLE HOURS. 

POET. 

Here too, Genieve, I do perceive 
Thy very self. Those soulful eyes, 
That languid beauty lovers prize, 
That dreamy face, that careless grace. 
Those parted lips with love aflame, 
Speak each aloud thy beauteous name ; 
And whose but thine, those arms divine ? 
The gallants all, from this would swear, 
That thou art Venus' lineal heir. 

GENIEVE. 

Good poet, sweet, this is the last : 
See how in shade one side is cast ! 

POET. 

The last, Genieve ? Alas ! I grieve — 
'T is best of all. That open eye 
That hateth guile, that cannot lie. 
That trusting face, that modest grace, 
That sweet, wise mouth of dainty size, 
Are marks that all must recognize ; 
And whose but thine, that smile divine ? 
The poets all, if each were sworn, 
Would say, for friendship thou wast born, 

GENIEVE. 

Good sir, thou dost not know Genieve ; 
Thy words do cross, thou would'st deceive. 



ON CLIFTON HEIGHTS. 57 

POET. 

Deceive, Genieve ? I beg thy leave ! 

Look thou at me, nor doubting smile. 

And every word, I '11 reconcile. 

Didst see the moon, at night and noon .? 

Didst see a dew-drop in the sun ? 

Then see it when the shadows run ? 

Now, thou dost dream, and now dost beam : 

'T would take a score of views to leave 

The just impression of Genieve. 



ON CLIFTON HEIGHTS. 

On Clifton Heights where Nature dowers 
All things with beauty, and the flowers 
With odors freight the mountain air, 
And Peace strolls smiling everywhere, 
The days, methinks, must seem but hours. 
There, homes palatial, lift their towers 
Like castles old, and wooded bowers 
Invite to sweets without a snare, 
On Clifton Heights. 
On Clifton Heights, these Souls of ours 
Awake in all their native powers. 

The hill, the vale, the woodland fair. 
The far-off views, caught here and there, 
All these, for hours, my soul devours 
On Clifton Heights. 



58 IDLE HOURS. 

MOTHER'S LOVE. 

As at the Sunbeam's kiss the flower 
In blossom smiles, so doth the power 
Of mother's love from o'er the sea, 
In kisses sweet sent after me, 

Sent after me 

Across the sea. 
Incite my soul to bloom each day 
And make me sing though far away. 



TO JAMES NE WTON MA TTHE WS. 

Thine is a harp of jewelled amber ; wrought 
By Nature's cunning fingers, when, blood-red. 
Her lips were ripe with love and when her tread 

Was lightest. Then it was that quick as thought 

She fashioned it. Long time, in doubt, she sought 
To find on earth a soul to whom she 'd wed 
Her treasure, ere her hand upon thy head 

She placed and said, " Behold what I have 
brought ! " 

Although its chords oft wooed thy hand to prove 
Its depth of tone and gifts of witchery, 

But late thou learned its wondrous pow'r to move, 
And still doth doubt, methinks, who gave it thee. 

Be bold to strike the chords when impulse knocks ! 

Each string 's a hair plucked from a Muse's locks. 



CAN I DO NAUGHT ? 



59 



CAN I DO NAUGHT? 

While doubts assail and foes conspire 
To rob my soul of its desire ; 
Can I do naught ? 

Must thou alone, this battle wage, 
While I am tortured to engage ? 
Can I do naught ? 

When most my cause seems lost to thee. 
May some sweet angel plead for me ! 
I can do naught. 

Alas ! in banishment I pine ! 
I watch, I wait, to catch a sign ! 
Can I do naught ? 



6o IDLE HOURS, 

FLY-FISHING IN TIPPECANOE RIVER. 

An August sun hung in the drowsy west ; 

Long shadows lay athwart the crystal stream 

Whose high and wooded banks were all agleam ; 

On rocks uplifted *bove the wave's blue crest. 

Green turtles, dozing, looked supremely blest ; 

Throned on a limb, lit by the sun's soft beam, 

A lone Kingfisher sat, as if in dream ; 

All but the spring-fed waters seemed at rest. 

A tree, half sunken in the limpid tide, 

Marked where deep water into riffle led, 

And where the gamey bass were wont to hide 

In playing round the rapid's rocky head ; 

While from the purling river rose and fell 

A music sweeter than the sweetest bell. 

Out in the flood, above the stranded tree, 

In sporting boots, two knowing anglers stood. 

Each one intent to cast first if he could. 

** Look there ! " cried one, as laughed his reel in glee 

To see the line go hissing out to sea, 

" Look here ! look here ! my jolly brother good," 

The other said, as he, cool-nerved, withstood 

A fish that to'ards him headed savagely. 

The dainty rods bent to the merry work. 

The silken lines throbb'd quicker in the strife. 

As here and there careered, with lunge and jerk. 

Each royal bass in struggle for his life. 

Long time, 'mid hope and fear, the battle raged, 

Till safe, in landing nets, both fish were caged. 



CATCHING A PIKE. 6l 



CATCHING A PIKE. 

'T was in the blooming month of May, 
Upon a mild and glorious day, 

When H and B and all the boys, 

A famous club for fun and noise, 
Were fishing at the Kankakee, 
As twice a year were wont to be. 
That I achieved the goodly feat 
Which impulse bids me now repeat. 
We 'd fished all day far down the stream 
With a success that was supreme — 
Aye, till the boats seemed all alive 
With fish that weighed from one to five, 
And as the sun's last golden beam 
Bedecked the tree-tops of the stream, 
Had to the club-house just returned, 
When I, with new-born ardor, burned. 
" A royal pike, my comrades gay, 
Must grace the triumphs of the day ; 
And while you cook the evening meal 
I '11 through the bayou softly steal." 
So saying, two long rods I chose, 
Slender, and tough, and straight as grows ; 
Two fav'rite lines of double strength. 
Of silken thread and gen'rous length ; 



62 IDLE HOURS. 

Two barbed foils of largest size — 

A Lim'rick and the spoon I prize — 

Then in the H. T. Sample boat 

With buoyant heart was soon afloat. 

Straight up the stream I noiseless plied, 

With both lines trolling in the tide. 

On one a noble minnow played, 

While one a flashing spoon displayed. 

All through the bayou thus I sailed, 

Where rarely had I ever failed ; 

But not one bite did fortune send : 

Then pushed I up around the bend. 

The river here was broad and deep — 

Below a riffle swift and steep ; 

The current down the centre bore 

And left an eddy near the shore, 

Along which grew out in the stream 

Grasses and flags that pike esteem. 

Close to the riffle's foot I rowed. 

Outside of where the current flowed, 

Then let the good boat float at will 

O'er water deep and almost still ; 

While I, discouraged all too soon, 

Rose in the prow to hurl the spoon. 

Scarce had I thrown the glitt'ring snare 

When lo ! some monster struck it fair, 

Down, down he went, deep in the main, 

Till all the tackle seemed to strain ; 

Then outward struck most fierce and strong, 



CATCHING A PIKE. 63 

And swiftly drew the boat along ; 

While at each stroke for life he gave 

The line went hissing through the wave, 

And all the while in graceful show 

The rod was bended as a bow. 

Awhile I sailed, first in, then out, 

Drawn by the unseen fish about, 

Till, desperate grown, he, in despair, 

Shot upward straight into the air 

Full three feet high, with monstrous bound. 

And open jaws that frightful frowned. 

" A pike it is ! ah, sure enough, 

A royal one of finest stuff." 

He shook the foil about his head 

With frantic force that plainly said, 

" I will be free ; I '11 not be foiled." 

Then downward plunged. The waters boiled. 

I caught my breath ; I feared the worst : 

** Hurrah ! he 's fast as at the first." 

Again the rod was double bent ; 

Again the boat a-sailing went, 

Till, borne full fifty yards or more 

To where the current struck the shore, 

Far down the stream, the bark swung round. 

When leaped I quick upon the ground. 

Now on my native heath I stood 

And played the pick'rel long and good. 

Worn out at last, he seemed to yield. 

And on his side an instant keeled. 



64 IDLE HOURS. 

But as I drew him near to land 
And thought him safe within my hand, 
He lunged again ; waged fiercest strife — 
The final struggle for his life. 
This short but desp'rate conflict o'er, 
I drew him safely to the shore. 
" Great Isaac Walton, what a fish ! 
Sure, sure enough, I Ve got my wish." 
Then wildly throwing up my arms, 
I yelled to all the neighboring farms — 
The while a-dancing like an elf — 
" I 've caught a fish big as myself." 
The first heroic transport past, 
I sought to make the captive fast ; 
But string, nor cord, nor rope was nigh 
With which I *d venture him to tie ; 
A tough green withe I therefore cut, 
And through his mouth securely put, 
Then lugged my prize within the boat 
And rowed without my hat or coat : 

how I rowed ! I fairly scud, 

1 skipped like light adown the flood. 
The boys had heard my frantic cry 
And forward pressed as I drew nigh, 
And when they spied the noble pike 
Methought I never saw the like. 
They stared and gaped, and fairly tore, 
And H , indeed, he almost swore. 

" The bed-cord get," they all cried out, 



CATCHING A PIKE. 65 

" We 've nothing else that 's half so stout ; 

The tape line and the steelyards too, 

He must be weighed and measured true." 

And so he was. It made me laugh : 

His weight was eighteen and a half. 

His length, let those who will distrust, 

Was two and forty inches, just. 

Then on the bed-cord strung by three, 

The pike was in the stream set free ! 

The supper now was piping hot. 

And good as ever sportsman got, 

"You shall preside," my comrades said, 

And placed me at the table's head. 

We feasted long on fish and game. 

And divers dainties I '11 not name. 

While I told o'er and o'er again, 

At their request, in boastful vein, 

My great exploit, and gave with zest 

Each attitude ; and 'bove the rest, 

How cool I 'd kept while this occurred ; 

How at myself ; and in a word, 

How I with skill most rare and smart 

Had practised all the angler's art. 

Nor dreamed I then, those men of sense, 

Were making fun at my expense. 

But so it was : I had become 

Their butt for ridicule and fun. 

At last when still they pressed me sore. 

To tell it only just once more, 



66 IDLE HOURS. 

I saw the point, and smiling said : — 

" My friends, good-night," and slunk to bed. 

I forthwith dreamed a monstrous tale — 

I thought I 'd caught a real whale, 

And had him with the bed-cord tied 

Securely at the river's side. 

And often since, in waters deep, 

I *ve mighty fishes caught in sleep. 



THE SOLDIER BOY. 67 



THE SOLDIER BOY. 

(To the memory of Robert Hanna, a corporal in the 
author's company.) 

While swell the praises of the great, 

Who flame in war, or guide the state, 

Let not the nation fail in thanks. 

To him who bravely graced the ranks. 

'T is he awakes my simple strain, 

A brave, an humble warrior slain. 

A boy he was — a manly boy — 

Gentle of heart and full of joy ; — 

Scarce eighteen summers on his head ; 

'Mid scenes of rural beauty bred ; 

So loved by all, so loving all, 

One thought of man before the fall, 

And marked him as a noble soul — 

True as the needle to its pole. 

Of graceful make, and fragile form, 

That seemed unsuited to the storm, 

Of modest step, yet gracious mien — 

So much admired, so seldom seen, 

Of rosy cheek and deep blue eye, 

That struck each hasty passer-by, 

He was a youth, whose beauty told. 

Him sprung from Nature's choicest mould. 



68 IDLE HOURS. 

'Mid scenes of peace and rural mirth, 
That nightly graced the homestead hearth, 
This lovely boy, his golden prime 
Was passing sweetly as a rhyme ; 
When hark ! A horrid, thund'ring sound, 
That shook Columbia's utmost bound, 
And jarred the nations near and far. 
Proclaimed the deed of Civil War, 

Enough ! The starry flag was torn, 
Insulted, scoff'd by traitors sworn. 
One hundred times ten thousand youth 
Sprang forth to strike for God's own truth ; 
And foremost 'mid the patriot band, 
Hard by the flag, was seen to stand. 
That tender boy, more proud to view 
Deck'd in his country's suit of blue. 
And now his weeping friends draw near : 
His father, mother, sisters dear ; 
" God save my boy ! " his mother cried ; 
" God save the flag ! " the boy replied ; 
" Farewell, my son ! " his father said, 
And blessed the stripling warrior's head ; 
" Farewell ! " sobb'd all, in tones supprest. 
And gushing tears supplied the rest. 

Two years roll'd by — two bloody years — 
And yet at home no boy appears, 
For lo ! where'er the conflict raged, 
He with the foe had been engaged. 



THE SOLDIER BOY. 69 

On Shiloh's dark and bloody ground 

He saw his comrades fall around, 

And at the siege, when Corinth fell, 

He did a soldier's duty well ; 

And then on dread Stone River's banks. 

Where storming lead swept down whole ranks, 

He, with a soul a-fire, aglow, 

Aided to deal the mortal blow, 

That gave the banners of the free 

That great and glorious victory. 

Yet southward swept the Union host, 

The boy still constant at his post. 

Our matchless chief, victorious Grant, 

Whose praise the world shall ceaseless chant, 

Now guides the war, bids build the bridge. 

And storm the heights of Mission Ridge. 

Instant, in long and proud array, 

Stood marshall'd for the deadly fray 

A host of veteran hero souls, 

O'er whom the old flag's silken folds. 

From countless standards waving high 

Against the rosy morning sky, 

Hover'd like guardian angels bright, 

To cheer them in the coming fight. 

A moment now, all breathless stand. 
While winged steeds bear swift command. 
Forward ! Boom ! Boom ! the signal gun. 
In thunder told the fight begun. 



70 IDLE HOURS. 

Now, like swift lightning's livid flash, 
Against the frowning mount they dash, 
Which instant to its centre shook, 
As forth from every cliff and nook 
Belch'd flaming fire on those below, 
And laid in death whole legions low. 
Still on they push to scale the steep ; 
Up, up the rugged mount they sweep ; 
When springs the ensign, quick as light, 
To plant the flag on yonder height ; 
But as the standard-bearer sped. 
The foeman's bullet stretched him dead. 

The boy, the gallant boy I sing. 

Now forward first was seen to spring ; 

'Mid showers of living, fiery lead. 

That shrieked and stormed about his head. 

He raised the flag, he waved it round. 

And to the topmost summit bound. 

Like lightning's flash, or meteor's glare, 

The starry flag one moment there. 

Borne by that dauntless warrior's might. 

Gleamed through the gloom of that dread fight. 

When, lo ! amid a shower of balls. 

Pierced through the head, the hero falls ; 

And downward, like a rushing star. 

That shines resplendent from afar, 

The glitt'ring flag, we love so well. 

Descended where the hero fell. 



THE SOLDIER BOY. 7 1 

But, thanks to God ! the heights are won ; 

And now, like gorgeous setting sun, 

As shouts on shouts of vict'ry rise, 

He, in a blaze of glory dies. 

And oh ! methinks an angel band, 

I see, from yon celestial land, 

Conduct his soul in heavenly state 

In triumph through the pearly gate. 

Illustrious youth ! thy work is done ; 
Thy honor safe ; thy fame begun : 
A grateful State thy birth shall claim ; 
Thy kindred glory in thy name ; 
And while the stars their courses run, 
And mortals greet the morning sun. 
The prattling child shall breathless hear, 
The maiden's cheek betray a tear. 
The pulse of youth throb fast and high, 
And lightning kindle in the eye, 
Whene'er in prose, or verse of gold, 
The story of thy deeds is told. 



72 IDLE HOURS. 



THE LAST TOURNAMENT. 

A day of trouble and of strife had closed ; 

The weak and innocent had fallen a prey 

To perjury and fraud. O'erwhelmed with grief 

And worn with musing long how this could be 

And God be just, I, in my easy-chair, 

Fell fast asleep ; when lo ! a vision rose. 

I saw all Christendom in gorgeous state 

Convened, as if in ancient tournament, 

To witness mortal combat 'tween two foes 

Who, since the birth of time, had fiercely waged 

Incessant war. A lofty mountain range 

That swept in graceful curve a circle vast. 

Whose grassy side sloped inward, formed the walls 

Of mighty Colosseum, which, immense 

As the great orbit of a moon, enclosed 

A wondrous plain. Upon these mountain sides. 

All round the vast arena, tier 'bove tier, 

The myriad hosts of earth expectant sat. 

While from each towering mountain peak sublime 

A nation's emblem like a lustrous star 

Resplendent shone, proclaiming where each State 

Its station held. Above the loftiest peak, 

Flamed as a sun, Columbia's starry flag, 

'Neath which, o'erlooking all the plain, in post 



THE LAST TOURNAMENT. 73 

Of honor first — the free award of all 

For valiant service to humanity 

And right — the millions of America 

On this proud day were all convoked, and through 

Their great chief-magistrate presided o'er 

The scene where Truth and Error, long at war, 

Were now to meet before the assembled world 

In last decisive fight. At signal from 

Columbia's chief, lead by great organs wrought 

Within the mountain sides, the nations all. 

Now Christianized, in anthem joined that filled 

The universe, as 't rose and fell, with strains 

Of rapt'rous song. It ceased, and while its sounds 

Yet ravished every ear, two mounted knights. 

From mountain gorges opposite, beclad 

In armor bright, into th' arena dashed. 

On, on, they rushed like meteors great 

T' engage at once, it seemed, in deadly strife : 

But no ! as if by sudden impulse warned, 

Each stopped in mid career to view his foe. 

No pigmy men on earth-born chargers these, 

But knights of giant form on mighty steeds, 

Who now, full armed, on verge of horrid war, 

Thus for a moment paused. The knight of Truth, 

Whose entrance had from Northern gorge been 

made, 
On powerful, prancing, milk-white steed, a bright 
Archangel seemed, above whose radiant helm 
A lofty, snow-white plume unceasing danced, 



74 IDLE HOURS. 

And in whose hand a gleaming lance, bestud 

With gems and winged with fire, terrific shone. 

Error — e'er in deceptive garb — on proud 

Black charger, seemed, in grace, in arms, in might, 

Nowise inferior to his hated foe. 

A nodding plume, black as the raven's wing. 

Adorned his plated crest, and in his hand. 

Full poised, he grasped a lance that gleamed as 

bright 
And dreadful as his foe's. A moment thus. 
Like eagles bent on prey, the champions paused ; 
Then plunging rowels in their champing steeds 
They turned, and sweeping mighty circle each, 
To gather in his movement greatest force, 
In clash of arms, with shock of thunderbolt. 
In very middle of the lists they met. 
Both lances shivered to the grasp. Through all 
The mighty hosts a shudder ran that shook 
The world. The foes spake not save as they spake 
By forked lightnings from their eyes. Again 
They sweep a circle, and with lances new 
Again in e'en more fierce encounter join. 
This time the lance of Truth drank blood and did 
Upon the foe a direful wound inflict. 
Whilst that of Error bounded harmless from 
The shield of Truth. A burst of triumph now 
From all the nations rent the heavens. Thrice more 
They met in shock of arms with like result. 
When, hand to hand, with flaming swords opposed, 



THE LAST TOURNAMENT. 75 

They desperate battle waged, till Error, faint 

And bleeding, fled pursued by Truth. Now like 

Two rushing thunderbolts they sped, Truth close 

Upon his foe and gaining fast, until 

In horror, Error saw, uplifted high 

Above his head, the battle-ax of Truth ; 

When, with wild shriek, he mercy craved. Truth 

heard 
And spared ; but as he effort made the blow 
T' withhold, the treacherous fiend advantage took 
And stabbed him 'neath the lifted arm. Truth 

groaned : 
Then turning instant round, in stirrups raised, 
With both hands swung the ax, and throwing all 
His being in the blow, wide open cleaved 
The coward's head. His trunk, with ponderous 

weight. 
Fell clanking t' the ground, while back to moun- 
tain gorge 
His steed affrighted fled. The nations now 
Exultant rose ; the organs proudly pealed ; 
The banners all and pennons gayly waved ; 
Shouts upon shouts succeeding rent the skies ; 
Heaven opened wide, and all her myriad hosts, 
With joy elate, joined in the loud acclaim : 
When lo ! from out a lum'nous cloud let down — 
Amazing sight ! Jehovah's gracious hand 
Was seen to place upon the victor's head 
A jewelled crown. 



76 IDLE HOURS. 

But ah ! 't was all a dream. 
Error still lives ; and till millennial dawn 
Will on the dauntless Knight of Truth wage war, 
When he, with crushing stroke, long time fore-told, 
Will vision change to blest reality. 



MY PRAYER. 

O Thou, who in the universe of mind 

Doth o'er free wills rule all supreme, and doth 

Mankind from evils seen and unseen guard ; 

Send poverty, or hunger, burning thirst. 

Or sickness lingering long, or sudden death, 

Or dread insanity, or any scourge. 

But save, O save thy servant from himself. 

Let no wild passion in unguarded hour, 

Or greed of gold, or fame, or power, e'er lure 

Him to a deed of infamy or shame. 

Let honor, love, and righteousness, in fact, 

As in sincere desire Thou knowest it does, 

Inspire his life, and shed their sweet perfume 

About his grave while men recall his name. 

This, this, I crave, and only this, and all 

In our great Master's name, and for his sake. 



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